Welcome and Announcements
Trinity Chimes
Prelude Partita on PICARDY Albert Zabel
*Call to Worship:
One: Once more we gather to tell the story,
All: Of an ancient hope fulfilled in ancient times.
One: But what of our hopes in this time?
All: What does it mean to pray “O Come Emmanuel” this day?
One: God, teach us once more what it means to participate in this sacred story,
All: As we sight the sacred and await your coming glory!
*Hymn of Praise 196 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
HYFRYDOL
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation,
2. Born thy people to deliver,
born a child and yet a King,
born to reign in us forever,
now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all sufficient merit,
raise us to thy glorious throne.
Advent Candle Lighting:
One: In the beginning, God spoke into darkness and creation came into being.
All: Today God speaks into the darkness of this world and hope springs to life anew.
One: Let us sing remembering that words created the world,
All: Let us sing as the Living Word speaks hope into our lives once more.
Advent Hymn: 2089 Wild and Lone the Prophet’s Voice
echoes through the desert still,
calling us to make a choice,
bidding us to do God’s will:
“Turn from sin and be baptized;
cleanse your heart and mind and soul.
Quitting all the sin you prized,
yield your life to God’s control.
lives of justice, truth, and love.
Trust no other claim than those;
set your heart on things above.
Soon the Lord will come in power,
burning clean the threshing floor:
then will flames the chaff devour;
wheat alone shall fill God’s store.”
John proclaimed salvation near,
and his timeless warnings hold
words of hope to all who hear.
So we dare to journey on,
led by faith through ways untrod,
till we come at last like John –
to behold the Lamb of God.
Scripture Reading Matthew 24:36-44
Music of Preparation Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
arr. Joel Raney
Hymn of Grateful Praise
Lichi Acosta, cello arr. Mark Hayes
The Chancel Choir and Ringers
Sermon Anytime Now
*Hymn of Response 202 People Look East BESANCON
1. People look east. The time is near of the crowning of the year.
Make your house fair as you are able, trim the hearth and set the table.
People, look east: Love the Guest is on the way.
2. Furrows, be glad. Though earth is bare, one more seed is planted there.
Give up your strength the seed to nourish, that in course the flower may flourish.
People, look east and sing today:
Set every peak and valley humming with the word, the Lord is coming.
People, look east and sing today:
Love, the Lord, is on the way.
Prayers of the People
Confession and Pardon:
Giver of all, we live and move and have our being in Your Presence. The wonder of your creation sings out all around us in stars and sunsets. We confess that we live as a people wrapped in worry, failing to be present, and neglecting opportunities to participate in grace and reconciliation. Bring us back to You through our loving, our efforts at forgiveness, and our longing for restoration. Shape us O God, as Advent people who take time to know You in our neighbors, who participate in your kingdom through love and compassion, who are always ready for Your arrival. Amen.
Leader: Hear the good news: God walked upon this earth sharing our human life in Jesus Christ, God has conquered sin and death forgiving us all through Love and Grace, in the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.
People: In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.
All: Glory to God, amen!
The Lord’s Prayer:
*Closing Hymn 206 I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light
HOUSTON
1 I want to walk as a child of the light.
I want to follow Jesus.
God set the stars to give light to the world.
The star of my life is Jesus.
Refrain:
In him there is no darkness at all.
The night and the day are both alike.
The Lamb is the light of the city of God.
Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus.
2 I want to see the brightness of God.
I want to look at Jesus.
Clear sun of righteousness, shine on my path,
and show me the way to the Father. [Refrain]
3 I’m looking for the coming of Christ.
I want to be with Jesus.
When we have run with patience the race,
we shall know the joy of Jesus. [Refrain]
Benediction
May promise become fulfillment as time reveals God’s eternal Love.
May we seek out sightings of the Sacred
and participate with God in the coming of Emmanuel. Amen.
Postlude Toccata on PICARDY Albert Zabel
Thank you to all of the volunteers and staff who made this service possible!
Liturgist: Susan Schreiner
Stephen Minister: Shawne Sidles
ONE LICENSE A-738133 | CCLI #12393 | Perform Music #662 | CVLI #03793174
“People, Look East”
Words: Eleanor Farjeon, 1928
“I Want ot Walk as a Child of Light”
Words: Kathleen Thomerson, 1966
“Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus”
Words:Charles Weley, 1744
“Wild and Lone the Prophet’s Voice”
Words:Carl P Daw Jr. (Matt;3 Mark1:1-11;Luke 3:1-22’John 1:19-37
If you have any questions, please call the office: 520.327.1116 or
send us an e-mail: office@ccumtucson.org.
